Francis William Merrigan, 81, of Pinehurst, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at Manor Care Health Care and Rehab, in Pinehurst.
A funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, in Pinehurst, with the Rev. Edward J. Burch officiating.
Mr. Merrigan was born Aug. 2, 1930, in Flushing, N.Y., to the late Francis William Merrigan and Elizabeth Agnes Lee Merrigan. He served during the Korean conflict in the U.S. Army. He obtained his bachelor’s in business administration from St. John’s University in New York in 1951, and later received his MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business in 1958.
Mr. Merrigan began his long career with the Caltex Oil Company, which spanned 41 years, before his retirement to the Pinehurst area more than 20 years ago. His career consisted of overseas assignments, giving him and his family the opportunity to live in Germany and South Africa. Mr. Merrigan retired to the Pinehurst area, becoming an active member at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. His interests included golf, sports and following political events.
Mr. Merrigan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elaine Phyllis Bealin Merrigan; two sons, Kenneth (Ken) Merrigan and wife, Patricia Ann (Patti), of Burlingame, Calif., and Richard Joseph Merrigan and wife, Cristi, of Raleigh; a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Carlson and husband, Richard of Las Vegas; and five grandchildren, Kelsey, Kyle and Lindsey Merrigan, and Michael and Tara Carlson.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Stahlman and Betty Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1768, Pinehurst, NC 28370. Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneral home.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.